Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As the Chairman knows, the National Museum of Ireland is dealing with a number of legacy HR issues relating to matters that took place a number of years ago. The board and management are taking steps to address these issues. The Chairman mentioned the newspapers at the weekend. That lady came forward with her story and I commend her on doing so. She was talking about something which commenced as early as 2006. I have consistently been clear that I cannot get involved in HR matters. They are a matter for the executive and the board of the museum. I am bound to respect the statutory independence put in place by the Oireachtas under the National Cultural Institutions Act 1997. Section 31 of the Act makes clear that staff of the museum are staff of the board and the board is independent in its function.

Notwithstanding these legal limitations, I have actively provided additional support in dealing with the legacy issues the museum faces. My Department has sanctioned three specific HR positions and two temporary positions for the corporate services area of the museum to assist in the process. I have been very supportive of the chair and the new board. They were appointed in 2006. I have been working with them since then to support them in implementing change in the museum as well as preparing new plans to improve the museum's services to the public over the coming years. When I invited expressions of interest for the board, I specifically sought broad corporate experience, including corporate governance and business management, including HR.

What appeared in the newspapers last weekend is not new news, as both the Chairman and I know. This has been going on for a long time. It happened a long time ago and there are legacy issues. I have been doing something about it. I have been working with and supporting the museum. I have provided additional financial support and have worked with the chair and the board. The board and the chair have done a huge amount of work since they were appointed last year. They really have. They have taken on board the serious issues which have taken place in the museum and are dealing with them. They are doing everything they can to deal with the matter. I am happy to support them in every way I can in doing that.